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Topic Review (Newest First)

06-19-2013 10:51 AM

mark2gmtrans

Re: What tools do you bring in your sailboats?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbyham

Mine being an in water refit with much cosmetic still to be done, I have a extensive pile of tools onboard. This being my first year of ownership and sailing I am somehow comforted to think I could handle about anything. However I am rapidly approaching a point where I want to lighten the load and regain precious storage space. This thread haS been a helpful guide to that tool thinning process. One item not yet mentioned but which I find useful us the good old cordless dremel tool. Otherwise my sense is the community here has it right. Thanks all...

oh man, now I have to put that in with everything else...at least I have those pipe wrenches, I would have felt bad if I had not included those in my kit or in my post.

I have a friend who has a fairly large boat, he took out his forward v-berth and made a tool room. I have seen a couple of others for sale that had done the same. He did his that way because he is a mechanic and cruises until his money gets low and then starts working on other people's boats to raise money to continue on his way. I would also be able to do the same, though I am not really thrilled with the idea of taking what was once a beautiful mahogany and teak v-berth and turning it into a tool locker.

As you work on your boat you will acquire tools, the important thing to do is not to buy cheap junk that damages the heads on bolts or the surface of nuts. Yes if you do not protect them tools will rust in a marine environment, that is why a very light coating of either WD40 or some type of very light oil should be wiped onto the tools after every use when you finish cleaning them. Tools are a part of your investment and lifestyle if you are going to cruise or live aboard, even a sailing club daysailer or weekend rental boat will want you to have a few tools and my guess is that if the bug has bitten you it will not be long until you own your own sailboat, so the tools you buy now will come in handy when you are rewiring or repairing that boat you buy.

Mark

06-18-2013 12:19 PM

rbyham

Re: What tools do you bring in your sailboats?

Mine being an in water refit with much cosmetic still to be done, I have a extensive pile of tools onboard. This being my first year of ownership and sailing I am somehow comforted to think I could handle about anything. However I am rapidly approaching a point where I want to lighten the load and regain precious storage space. This thread haS been a helpful guide to that tool thinning process. One item not yet mentioned but which I find useful us the good old cordless dremel tool. Otherwise my sense is the community here has it right. Thanks all...

06-18-2013 10:49 AM

fryewe

Re: What tools do you bring in your sailboats?

Embedded in at least one post is the notion to bring pipe wrenches. I think this deserves highlighting...

If you have a stuffing box then you should have the wrenches to tighten or loosen the gland. Especially if it has been recently re-packed. And checking it's temp should be on your underway checklist (a cheap IR thermometer isn't a bad idea for the tool box but feeling the stuffing box should be practiced - being careful of the rotating shaft).

06-18-2013 09:10 AM

Net0man

Re: What tools do you bring in your sailboats?

Good morning. Thanks for the great posts! My tool list got long after reading the suggestions. I will need to review the list and decide which tool to bring. A box of spares is a great idea! Because I sail club boats, I would bring a 12" toolbox for a day trips or a 15" toolbox for multi days trips. Again, thanks for the great feedbacks.

More advices are welcome here.

06-17-2013 10:02 PM

Omatako

Re: What tools do you bring in your sailboats?

Whatever you have on your boat in the way of tools, don't get expensive gear - it will last as long as the cheap and nasties that are available from places like Home Depot.

06-17-2013 08:46 PM

Brent Swain

Re: What tools do you bring in your sailboats?

The handiest tool on my boat is a engine driven 100 amp alternator, rigged for welding and running my power tools. I have welded up everything from anchor winches to wood stoves with it. Cost me $25 in an auto wreckers.

06-17-2013 05:21 PM

zeehag

Re: What tools do you bring in your sailboats?

i BRING nothing t my boat unless i just bought it...i HAVE on my boat the tools needed to repair it, electricity, wood, engine, whatever---it is my home and all tools i need are here.

06-17-2013 04:47 PM

FinallySailing

Re: What tools do you bring in your sailboats?

That's my toolbox.

It fits in the lazarette but in general has everything that I may need for tinkering and to keep things running: I keep no other spares anywhere else and only need to take the house tools with me when I install new things.

It's three single boxes that clip together.

The top has my general tools:

Pliers, bolt cutter to cut through rigging in an emergency (hopefully will never happen), a hacksaw, a set of ratchet spanners, a compact ratchet screwdriver with a selection of bits in its handle, a longer slotted screwdriver, measuring tape, bit holder, 2 component adhesive, Lock'n seal, pencil, spare strainer for my manual bilge pump, hose connectors, different tapes (duct, vinyl etc), a facemask, vinyl gloves. There is also my set of tools that came with my outboard.

The next box contains:

A small vice (a super pair of extra hands basically), bits of string, my collection of stainless screws, bolts, nuts and washers, shackles and hoseclips and a spare zinc for the outboard.

I am a mechanic, and if I bring all of my tools I will sink the boat, but I have a small canvas tool bag that goes everywhere I go. It contains a 1/4 in ratchet set, a 3/8 in set, and a 1/2 in set, sizes from tiny to 1 7/8" and a full set of box end open end wrenches in the same sizes. I also have four pipe wrenches, two smaller 12 in and two 18 in, also two adjustable wrenches, a set of screwdrivers and nut drivers, also contains some star and allen heads. A set of good allen wrenches. A couple of files, a rasp, and some razor type scrapers, and two box cutter type knives. Pliers in the various types, for cutting wires and gripping, plus a small set of six various sizes of vice grip pliers. A volt/ohm meter, a manual oil pressure gauge on a flexible hose with a fitting to thread it into the sending unit spot. Oh and maybe one or two other favorites and a soldering iron, an 18 volt cordless set with drill, saw, sawzall, and such in a plastic case. And that about covers it, it weighs in at around 125 pounds total including the cordless tool set. If I am going on an extended cruise I will also take along a small gas chainsaw, you just never know when a chainsaw will come in handy... If I do things the way I want to do them I will have to make a few mods to my next boat, I have to have a few more tools if I am going to live aboard and be gone a long time. So I guess it very much depends on your mechanical skills, because I could hand you all of my tools and if you cannot troubleshoot the problems you will still need to call someone. Take things you know how to use and are comfortable with, and feel you should have, like the previous post said you will still have everything but what you need LOL

06-17-2013 02:51 PM

wind_magic

Re: What tools do you bring in your sailboats?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

But, it ain't your boat.

I agree it is their boat, but they won't be there when the SHTF to fix it.

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